My list of tips before boarding any plane / taking any trip.
How-to travel like a PRO!
Pack light: When traveling you always want to pack as light as you can for many reasons. Avoiding having to lug heavy luggage around will save you time, energy, and stress. You also want to pack light because more than likely you will buy things like souvenirs, new clothes, bags, gifts, etc... and that extra space will come in handy. Packing light also helps you avoid losing things because there is less for you to remember to pack up when it is time to go.
Purchase tickets in advance: Purchase your tickets at least 3 to 4 months in advance to get the best rate! Who wants to save money? I do! Prices for traveling is always cheaper when you book fights mouths out in advance. This helps the companies plan trips in advance, and create work schedules for their crew, you get to choose the best seating arrangement for yourself & the airlines get to forecast the airline's business for the next month. It's a win-win.
Tag your check-in bag as fragile: If you have to check in a bag mark it as "fragile" for special care of your items even if there are no fragile items in the luggage. This will help your bag and items get treated with a deluxe-like service for free! Your baggage will more than likely get put on top of the other luggage just because it has that label on it. This means fewer scratches or dings to the outside of the luggage due to workers carrying the luggage to and from one cargo truck to another.
Use credit cards rather than your debit cards or cash: You should use an actual credit card when going out of town. Try to avoid using your everyday bank card or cash. Your everyday debit bank card is probably linked to your everyday bills. If this card information was to get stolen it would be a huge hassle to change all of your direct deposit accounts for your bills and so on.So, try practicing using credit cards more Via the BBA to avoid identity thieve. Credit card companies such as American Express, Discover, USAA, Capital One, Citibank, Wells Fargo, and so on are the types of cards you should be using (loaned money). This is safe because it is not your actual money in your bank account. It is money that is protected by the company you have the card with (essentially loaned money from an institution). So, if your card information happens to get stolen it does not directly affect you! You will still need to report it right away. It's likely the money will be put back onto the credit card and the account with that stolen number will be shut off. More than likely you would be issued another card between 5-7 business days; this card would be shipped to the address the company has on file for you. Meanwhile, a case will be created on your behave to research & recover the unauthorized transaction. Save yourself the hassle and just use a credit card.
Notify your bank prior to leaving: Simply call the number on the back of your card and talk to a live person. Let them know you will be traveling (in whatever city or county). They will document the information. This will help the credit card company know not to flag/block your purchases because they have notes stating you are in this country right now and it is ok to authorize the transaction.
Email a copy of your important documents to yourself: This includes a copy of your ID, visa, passport, boarding pass, health-related documents (if applicable), etc... You should do this just in case you lose your physical copies. Now you have backups.
Pack more basics: You can get a lot of different outfits out of basics. Basics to me = fewer clothes, more outfit options, and more space in your luggage! Also, try and get quick dry clothes a.k.a clothes that do not require ironing. Cloths that are not quick dry or need to be ironed usually require a hanger or they take up a lot of space in your luggage. Let's try to avoid that ").
Small luggage is best: small luggage equals no check-in fee. How many items are you allowed to take on the plane? You are allowed one small piece of luggage and a carry-on without having to check- in these items. The small luggage needs to be 9 x 14 inches x 22 inches or be able to fit in the overhead bin. Your carry-on would need to be small enough to fit underneath your seat or in front of you depending on the airlines you are flying with. This is how you board a plane without having to pay extra luggage fees. You can find small compliance-size luggage at any department store. Just ask for small to medium size luggage that can fit in a plane's overhead bin easily.
All essentials/must haves go in your carry-on: This includes; a boarding pass, passport, wallet, electronics, face mask, eye mask, lip gloss, blanket, neck pillow, ear plugs, portable charger, etc...
Get an app that converts currency: If you are traveling out of your home country you should download a currency converter app to assist in purchases when you are out of your home country. Popular apps include GlobeConvert Currency, Currency & My Currency Converter.
Do your research on the area: This is for the people traveling out of their home country. DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE. Do your reach on the country you are visiting so you are as up to date on the procedures and customs regarding the country you are visiting. Act as if you know the area. At this point, you're not a tourist! This way you avoid getting ripped off or encountering price gouging.
Know lets travel!!! :)
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